Slower respiration rate is associated with higher self-reported well-being after wellness training
Scientific Reports September 24, 2023 Tammi R. A. Kral, Helen Y. Weng, Vikramjit Mitra et al. 25 citations
Lower resting respiration rate (RR) may serve as a physiological marker of well-being, particularly among people who practice meditation. In a study of 245 adults, long-term meditators showed an association between lower RR and lower psychological distress. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) decreased RR compared to a waitlist control, though not compared to an active control. Decreased RR was linked to fewer medical symptoms across all participants. After training, lower RR was associated with higher psychological well-being in training groups relative to waitlist, but there were no significant differences in change in well-being between groups. The findings suggest RR may indicate physical or psychological well-being in those who engage in wellness practices.